UPSC NDA-1 Archives

1. Which one among the following states is the leading producer of Mangan

Which one among the following states is the leading producer of Manganese in India ?

Madhya Pradesh

Jharkhand

Rajasthan

Karnataka

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2023

Download PDF Attempt Online

Madhya Pradesh is a leading producer of Manganese in India.

Madhya Pradesh, along with Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, are the major manganese-producing states in India. Data fluctuates year to year, but Madhya Pradesh consistently ranks among the top, often leading the production.

Manganese is an important element used in the production of steel (ferromanganese alloy). It is also used in chemicals, batteries, and other applications. The main manganese belt in India extends across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, and Goa.

2. Consider the following statements: 1. Distance between the longitude

Consider the following statements:

1. Distance between the longitudes becomes zero on North Pole and South Pole.
2. Distance between the longitudes is maximum on the Equator.
3. Number of longitudes is more than number of latitudes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2023

Download PDF Attempt Online

All three statements regarding longitudes and latitudes are correct.

Longitudes are imaginary lines running from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are furthest apart at the equator and converge at the poles, where the distance between them becomes zero. The equator is the largest circle of latitude, and the distance between longitudes is maximum here. There are 360 degrees of longitude (180° East and 180° West from the Prime Meridian, including 0° and 180°). Latitudes are imaginary circles parallel to the equator. There are 181 lines of latitude (0° at the equator, 1° to 90° North, and 1° to 90° South). Thus, the number of longitudes (360) is greater than the number of latitudes (181).

Lines of latitude are parallel and the distance between consecutive degrees of latitude is approximately constant (about 111 km or 69 miles). Lines of longitude are not parallel; their distance varies from maximum at the equator to zero at the poles.

3. Which one among the following is the northernmost geographical locatio

Which one among the following is the northernmost geographical location ?

New Delhi

Kathmandu

Thimphu

Dhaka

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2023

Download PDF Attempt Online

To determine the northernmost geographical location among the given options (which are all capital cities), we need to compare their latitudes.
A) New Delhi, India: Approximately 28.6° N latitude.
B) Kathmandu, Nepal: Approximately 27.7° N latitude.
C) Thimphu, Bhutan: Approximately 27.5° N latitude.
D) Dhaka, Bangladesh: Approximately 23.7° N latitude.
Comparing the latitudes, New Delhi (28.6° N) has the highest latitude, meaning it is located furthest north among the given options.

This question tests geographical knowledge, specifically the relative latitudes of major cities/capitals in South Asia.

Latitude lines measure distance north or south of the Equator. Higher north latitudes mean locations are closer to the North Pole. While all listed cities are in South Asia, their positions relative to the Tropic of Cancer and Himalayan foothills vary, affecting their latitude.

4. Which one of the following statements about X-rays is not true ?

Which one of the following statements about X-rays is not true ?

They have wavelengths of about 1 Å.

These can be generated by bombarding a metal target by high energy electrons.

Due to their wavelengths being shorter, these can be used for radar systems.

These are also used for the treatment of certain forms of cancer.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2023

Download PDF Attempt Online

Let’s analyze each statement about X-rays:
A) They have wavelengths of about 1 Å. X-rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths typically ranging from 0.01 to 10 nanometers (0.1 to 100 Å). So, a wavelength of 1 Å falls within this range. This statement is true.
B) These can be generated by bombarding a metal target by high energy electrons. This is the standard method for producing X-rays in an X-ray tube (using bremsstrahlung radiation and characteristic X-ray emission). This statement is true.
C) Due to their wavelengths being shorter, these can be used for radar systems. Radar systems work by transmitting electromagnetic waves and detecting the reflected signals. They typically use radio waves or microwaves (wavelengths from centimeters to meters). X-rays have much shorter wavelengths and high energy, which makes them highly penetrating. They are not suitable for radar applications, which rely on reflection from objects in the atmosphere or space. This statement is NOT true.
D) These are also used for the treatment of certain forms of cancer. High-energy X-rays are a common form of radiation therapy used to kill cancer cells. This statement is true.
Therefore, the statement that is not true about X-rays is C.

This question tests knowledge about the properties and applications of X-rays, which are part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

X-rays are used in various fields including medical imaging (radiography, CT scans), industrial inspection, material analysis (X-ray crystallography), and security screening. Their penetrating power makes them useful for imaging internal structures.

5. Who among the following was the author of the Badshah Nama ?

Who among the following was the author of the Badshah Nama ?

Abdul Hamid Lahori

Abul Fazl

Shah Jahan

Sadullah Khan

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

Download PDF Attempt Online

Badshah Nama (or Padshahnama) is the official chronicle of the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. While several authors contributed to the historical accounts of Shah Jahan’s reign, the most famous and widely accepted author of the official Badshah Nama covering the first twenty years of his rule is Abdul Hamid Lahori. Abul Fazl was the historian and chronicler during Emperor Akbar’s reign, famous for writing the Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari. Shah Jahan was the ruler whose reign was chronicled, not the author himself. Sadullah Khan was a prominent minister during Shah Jahan’s reign.

This question tests knowledge about important historical texts and their authors from the Mughal period in India.

Historical chronicles like Badshah Nama provide valuable primary source material for understanding the political, social, and cultural history of the Mughal Empire. Other notable Mughal historians include Nizamuddin Ahmad (Tabaqat-i-Akbari), Abdul Qadir Badauni (Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh), and Muhammad Waris (who continued Lahori’s work).

6. Consider the following Indian States : 1. Bihar 2. Rajasthan 3.

Consider the following Indian States :

1. Bihar
2. Rajasthan
3. Jammu and Kashmir
4. Haryana

Which one of the following is the correct ascending order of the above States on the basis of percentage of State’s population to total population of India (based on census 2011) ?

3 – 4 – 1 – 2

4 – 2 – 1 – 3

3 – 4 – 2 – 1

2 – 3 – 4 – 1

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

Download PDF Attempt Online

We need to arrange the given states in ascending order based on their percentage of the total population of India as per the 2011 Census.
Let’s approximate the populations (in millions) and calculate the percentages (approx) relative to India’s total population (approx 1210 million) in 2011:
1. Bihar: Approx 104 million (approx 8.6%)
2. Rajasthan: Approx 68.5 million (approx 5.6%)
3. Jammu and Kashmir: Approx 12.5 million (approx 1.0%)
4. Haryana: Approx 25.3 million (approx 2.1%)

Arranging these percentages in ascending order:
1.0% (Jammu and Kashmir) < 2.1% (Haryana) < 5.6% (Rajasthan) < 8.6% (Bihar) The corresponding order of states is Jammu and Kashmir (3), Haryana (4), Rajasthan (2), Bihar (1). Thus, the correct ascending order is 3 – 4 – 2 – 1.

This question requires knowledge of the relative populations of Indian states and their share in the total national population based on census data.

Population distribution across states is a crucial demographic aspect of India, influencing political representation, resource allocation, and development planning. Uttar Pradesh has the largest population, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal (as per 2011 census).

7. A positive charge +q is placed at the centre of a hollow metallic sphe

A positive charge +q is placed at the centre of a hollow metallic sphere of inner radius a and outer radius b. The electric field at a distance r from the centre is denoted by E. In this regard, which one of the following statements is correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”E = 0 for a < r < b" option2="E = 0 for r < a" option3="E = q/4πε₀r for a < r < b" option4="E = q/4πε₀a for r < a" correct="option1"]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

Download PDF Attempt Online

A positive charge +q is placed at the center of a hollow metallic sphere.
– For r < a (inside the cavity but outside the point charge): The electric field is due to the point charge +q. Using Gauss's Law with a spherical surface of radius r < a centered at +q, the enclosed charge is +q. So, E * 4πr² = q/ε₀, which gives E = q/(4πε₀r²). Thus, E is not zero for r < a. - For a < r < b (inside the metallic material): In electrostatic equilibrium, the electric field inside a conductor is always zero. The presence of the charge +q at the center induces a charge of -q on the inner surface of the metallic sphere (at r=a) and a charge of +q on the outer surface (at r=b). The induced charges arrange themselves such that the field inside the conductor material (a < r < b) is zero. - For r > b (outside the sphere): The total enclosed charge within a spherical surface of radius r > b centered at +q is +q (the original charge) + (-q on inner surface) + (+q on outer surface) = +q. Using Gauss’s Law, E * 4πr² = q/ε₀, so E = q/(4πε₀r²).
Based on this analysis, the statement E = 0 for a < r < b is correct.

This question tests fundamental concepts of electrostatics, specifically the electric field inside and outside conductors and due to point charges, and the effect of induced charges in conductors.

The electric field inside a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium is zero because free charges within the conductor redistribute themselves to cancel any external or internal electric field. This phenomenon is known as electrostatic shielding.

8. If the absolute refractive indices of glass and water are 3/2 and 4/3

If the absolute refractive indices of glass and water are 3/2 and 4/3 respectively, what will be the ratio of velocity of light in glass and water ?

3 : 4

4 : 3

8 : 7

8 : 9

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

Download PDF Attempt Online

The absolute refractive index (n) of a medium is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum (c) to the speed of light in the medium (v): n = c / v.
Given the absolute refractive index of glass, n_g = 3/2.
The speed of light in glass, v_g = c / n_g = c / (3/2) = 2c/3.
Given the absolute refractive index of water, n_w = 4/3.
The speed of light in water, v_w = c / n_w = c / (4/3) = 3c/4.
The ratio of the velocity of light in glass and water is v_g / v_w.
v_g / v_w = (2c/3) / (3c/4) = (2c/3) * (4/3c) = (2/3) * (4/3) = 8/9.
The ratio is 8 : 9.

This question tests the relationship between refractive index and the speed of light in a medium. The formula n = c/v is key.

Refractive index is a measure of how much the speed of light is reduced when it passes through a medium compared to its speed in a vacuum. A higher refractive index means light travels slower in that medium.

9. Which one of the following pairs of Tribe and State is NOT correctly m

Which one of the following pairs of Tribe and State is NOT correctly matched ?

Tharu : Madhya Pradesh

Adi : Arunachal Pradesh

Irula : Kerala

Shaharia : Rajasthan

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

Download PDF Attempt Online

Let’s examine each pair:
A) Tharu : Madhya Pradesh – Tharu people are indigenous to the Terai region of India and Nepal, living mainly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. They are not primarily found in Madhya Pradesh. This pair is NOT correctly matched.
B) Adi : Arunachal Pradesh – The Adi tribe is a major tribal group of Arunachal Pradesh, inhabiting the Himalayan hills. This pair is correctly matched.
C) Irula : Kerala – The Irula people are an indigenous ethnic group inhabiting areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. This pair is correctly matched.
D) Shaharia : Rajasthan – The Sahariya (or Shaharia) tribe is a major tribal group residing in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. This pair is correctly matched.
Therefore, the pair that is NOT correctly matched is Tharu : Madhya Pradesh.

This question tests knowledge about the geographical distribution of major tribes in India.

Knowing the states where significant tribal populations reside is important for understanding India’s social and cultural diversity, as well as issues related to tribal welfare and development.

10. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I (Mineral deposit)	List II (State)
A. Gypsum	1. Odisha
B. Graphite	2. Gujarat
C. Fluorspar	3. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Nickel	4. Rajasthan

Code :

	A	B	C	D
(a)	1	3	2	4
(b)	1	2	3	4
(c)	4	3	2	1
(d)	4	2	3	1

1 3 2 4

1 2 3 4

4 3 2 1

4 2 3 1

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

Download PDF Attempt Online

Based on the distribution of mineral deposits in India:
A. Gypsum: Rajasthan is the largest producer of Gypsum in India. (Match with 4)
B. Graphite: Arunachal Pradesh has significant reserves of Graphite. Other states like Odisha, Jharkhand, and Kerala are also major producers. (Match with 3 based on the options)
C. Fluorspar: Gujarat is a major producer of Fluorspar (also known as Fluorite). (Match with 2)
D. Nickel: Odisha is the only state in India producing Nickel ore. (Match with 1)
Thus, the correct matching is A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1, which corresponds to option (c).

This question tests knowledge about the geographical distribution of important mineral deposits across Indian states.

Understanding the distribution of minerals is crucial for questions related to India’s geography, economy, and resource management. India is deficient in certain minerals like Nickel, necessitating imports.